Foundation Inspections San Antonio

San Antonio homeowners should have a working knowledge of the process involved in repairing the foundation of their home.  If you suspect trouble with your foundation, call a repair specialist for an inspection.  

Initially, you will meet with a contractor to assess the condition of your foundation.  A professional should listen to what you have to say, then fully evaluate your home.  He/she will begin by looking around the perimeter of your home for cracks in the foundation or wall structure, brick veneer and fascia boards issues, wet or musty foundational beams, plot grading issues, and poor drainage.  Wet piers, beams, or beam joints underneath a home may point to foundation drainage problems. Next, he/she will inspect the interior of your home for uneven or damaged flooring, faulty construction, or plumbing/irrigation system failures.

If he/she identifies one or more problems, the repair professional will speak with you to point out the particular foundation issues regarding your home, and he/she will make recommendations as to what issues are imperative to repair and which, if any, are simply cosmetic.  He/she will be able to tell you if sections of your foundation are lower than the rest of the home from as little as 1” up to 6” or more.

Roughly 90% of foundation repairs in the San Antonio area result from natural causes.  This region of Texas rests on loamy, clay soil in which soil temperature and moisture deviate due to high elasticity.  Homes in the area are built to withstand typical fluctuations in the heat and cold as well as the dry and the densely moist, but time and extreme conditions may stress a foundation beyond its structural limitations.  As a result, foundation problems occur.  Grading issues are present when the soil used to level a home for new construction isn’t properly compacted and treated, which leads to erosion and recession beneath the foundation.

Pooled water around your home, whether from plumbing or irrigation problems or rain, will cause foundation issues.  Even the best drainage equipment has a limited properly functioning lifespan.  Water will eventually wear down its route and change the direction it flows, causing damage to your home.  Though landscaping gives the area around your home character and beauty, trees and plants located close to the house extract moisture from under the foundation, lending opportunity for a damaged foundation.

When buying a home, buyers expect that the home is structurally sound.  Unfortunately, not all home structures are built equally.  Sometimes corners were cut during the construction, construction standards ignored, and inspection requirements not met.  Wear and tear and time bring these weaknesses in the home to light, often in the form of foundation issues.

Most San Antonio foundation repair professionals will provide homeowners with a free examination and estimate on the repair of the foundation.  If you are not the homeowner, inspection fees can range from $150 - $200.  Be sure to check with the foundation repair expert about their fees before the first visit.

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